Carlos Alcaraz is the favourite but returns from a lengthy injury absence
Arthur Fils arrives in New York after winning the Cincinnati Open
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Carlos Alcaraz is the 2/1 favourite with LiveScore Bet to retain his US Open crown but the defending champion returns to Grand Slam action after almost five months away.
The Spaniard has not played a singles match since April because of a wrist injury and, while his talent is beyond question, asking him to return and win seven matches in a fortnight is a sizable request.
Alexander Zverev is 3/1 after winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open and reaching the Wimbledon final, but his preparations have been less convincing on the hard courts.
With Jannik Sinner ruled out through injury, there is more value to be found elsewhere in an unusually open men's draw, with Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils two players worth supporting.
The latest US Open odds are available on LiveScoreBet
Shelton can finally end American drought
Ben Shelton arrives at his home Grand Slam with an opportunity to end a wait which has now stretched for more than two decades.
No American man has won the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003, but Shelton has already shown that the occasion and the New York crowd can bring the best out of him.
The 23-year-old reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and arrives this year after successfully defending his Canadian Open title without dropping a set.
Shelton's game has developed considerably since his early breakthrough, with the left-hander no longer relying solely on his enormous serve to overpower opponents.
His return game has improved, he is breaking opponents more regularly and his athleticism is second to none.
A first-round exit in Cincinnati was disappointing, but it also gave him valuable time to recover following his title run in Montreal.
Shelton has the weapons to beat anybody on these courts and he looks a better betting proposition than the shorter-priced market leaders.
Back Ben Shelton each-way at 10/1 with LiveScoreBet
The latest US Open odds are available on LiveScoreBet
Fils in fine form
Arthur Fils is another who looks capable of using the absence of Sinner and Alcaraz's lack of match practice to make a serious impact in New York.
The 22-year-old arrives in superb form after winning the biggest title of his career at the Cincinnati Open, his maiden Masters 1000 triumph.
That success underlined the progress Fils has made in 2026, with his powerful serve and explosive forehand making him one of the most dangerous young players on the tour.
He has also shown that he can consistently compete with the leading names, collecting several top-10 victories during the season and making deep runs at some of the biggest tournaments.
Fils has never previously progressed beyond the second round at the US Open, but that record could also help to explain the attractive price.
A breakthrough Grand Slam run feels overdue and his recent Cincinnati triumph suggests he has arrived at Flushing Meadows playing the best tennis of his career.
If Fils can carry that form into the opening week, an each-way run deep into the tournament looks a realistic possibility.
Back Arthur Fils each-way at 12/1 with LiveScoreBet
The latest US Open odds are available on LiveScoreBet
